Western Bird Guide: Birds of the Rockies and West to the Pacific

by Charles K. Reed

GRAY-CROWNED ROSY FINCH.

524. Leucosticte tephrocotis. 6½ inches.

This is a lighter colored bird than the above. It is found on the eastern slope of the Rockies and has been found breeding in the Sierra Nevadas, in crevices of the rocks, after the same manner as the above. The eggs cannot be distinguished from the above.

HEPBURN ROSY FINCH.

524a. Leucosticte tephrocotis littoralis. 6½ inches.

These have more gray on the back of the head; otherwise the same as preceding in habits and nesting.

BLACK ROSY FINCH.

525. Leucosticte atrata. 6½ inches.

This species is the same in markings as the [Gray-crowned], excepting that the brown is replaced with almost black on the back and breast. The females of this family are much the same as the males, only not as bright in markings, and the young are the same as the females. Found in the northern Rocky Mountains, breeding in the mountains south to Colorado. They are all restless birds, seldom making a long stop in one place, but flitting from one locality to another. After the breeding season, they congregate in large flocks and keep together about the snow line, getting their supply of seed and insect food. Their nesting habits and their eggs are the same as the Gray-crowned.